Introduction

In this tutorial, we will go over how to create an export preset for our rejected RAW images in Lightroom 4. Although you are probably not delivering these rejected images to a client, we still want to keep them on hand for a certain period of time, just in case we need to hunt down a particular image at a later time. We will export the rejected images as JPGs, so they will not take up as much space as a RAW photo.

Watch the Video

1. Export Dialogue Box

First, press “Ctrl + Shift + E” to bring up the Export Dialogue Box. We need to start with a preset that is closest to the preset we want to create, so we are going to select the Print-Sized Image Export Preset that we created in the “How to Create a Print-Sized Image Export Preset in Lightroom 4” tutorial. In the Export Dialogue Box, select “01_PrintSized” from the left of the dialogue box.

2. Export Location

Next, make sure that the box next to “Put in Subfolder” is still checked. Then delete “01_PrintSized” and type in “04_ExportedRejects” instead.

4. File Settings

Since we are only exporting photographs, skip over the Video section and move on to File Settings. As mentioned before, we are going to export our rejected images as JPGs, so leave “Image Format” at “JPEG.” We will also leave “Quality” at “100” and “Color Space” at “sRGB” since sRGB is the safest option for printing. Make sure that the box next to “Limit File Size To” is not checked.

5. Image Sizing

Next, we are going to leave the Resolution at 300 pixels per inch. More importantly, make sure that the box next to “Resize to Fit” is not checked!

6. Output Sharpening

In Output Sharpening, uncheck the box next to “Sharpen For.” We want to make sure that we save these rejected images in an unaltered format so that if we need to come back to the images at a later time, we can perform all necessary editing at that time.

7. Metadata

When exporting images that we will deliver to our clients, we usually have the Metadata settings set at “Copyright Only” or “Copyright & Contact Info Only.” However since we are not delivering our rejected images to anyone (unless we go back and reprocess the rejected images in the future), select “All” from the drop-down menu.

8. Watermarking

We do not want to stamp our rejected images, so make sure the box next to “Watermark” is not checked.

9. Post-Processing

We are going to leave these settings defaulted since we do not want Lightroom to open up an Explorer/Finder Window once Lightroom has finished exporting our rejected images. We already have our Lightroom preferences set to play a sound to notify us when the images are exported, so we have it set to “Do nothing.” However, feel free to choose a different option to suit your workflow.

10. How to Save the Export Preset for Rejected Images

To save these new settings as an export preset, click on “Add” at the bottom left of the Export Dialogue Box.

The New Preset Dialogue Box will appear when you click on “Add.” Name the preset for rejected images “04_ExportedRejects.” Select the workflow folder you created in the “How to Create a Print-Sized Image Export Preset” tutorial. For us, that is the “LJP Workflow” folder. Then, click on “Create.”

The export preset for rejected images will now appear on the left of the Export Dialogue Box. As you can see below, the preset is under the “LJP Workflow” folder and is called “04_ExportedRejects.”

Conclusion & Learn More!

We hope you have enjoyed this tutorial on how to export your rejected RAW images out of Lightroom 4. Although you will probably not deliver any of your rejected images, it is a good idea to keep them somewhere, just in case you do need these images in the future. These images will be saved as JPGs, so they will not take up as much space on your hard drive. Stay tuned for our next tutorial on how to export our entire catalog out of Lightroom 4.

To learn more about the SLR Lounge Workflow System Workshop on DVD or to purchase it, click on this link.

To purchase the Lightroom 4 Workshop Collection which includes A-Z Tutorials, the Preset System, and Workflow DVD, click here.

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